USMNT falls 2-0 to Colombia in Copa America Centenario opener

SANTA CLARA, Calif. (Via U.S. Soccer) – The U.S. Men’s National Team put in a strong effort against one of the tournament favorites but allowed two goals on set plays and fell 2-0 to Colombia before a sellout crowd of 67,439 at Levi’s Stadium in the opening match of the 2016 Copa America Centenario.

First half goals from Colombia’s Cristián Zapata in the 8th minute off a corner kick and James Rodriguez in the 42nd from the penalty spot forced the USA to chase the game, but despite an 11-8 advantage in shots, the Americans could not cut into that lead. Clint Dempsey had two excellent chances in the second half, one off a free kick that required a full-out flying save from Colombia goalkeeper David Ospina and a header that was cleared off the goal line by a Colombian defender.

The tournament continues for the MNT on Tuesday, June 7, against Costa Rica at Soldier Field in Chicago. The second Group A match for both teams will kick off at 7 p.m. CT and be broadcast live on FS1, UniMas and UDN.

Goal Scoring Rundown:
COL – Cristián Zapata (Edwin Cardona) 8th minute: Colombia earned an early corner kick from the right side of the field that Cardona swung away from goal toward the penalty spot. Starting at the far post, Zapata was able to evade his marker by darting around two other players and met the cross perfectly, striking a powerful, low volley into the lower right corner of the net. USA 0, COL 1

COL – James Rodriguez (penalty kick), 42nd minute: U.S. right back DeAndre Yedlin was whistle for handball in the box while trying to block a cross. Colombia captain James Rodriguez stepped up to take the kick and sent a low blast into the bottom right corner as U.S. goalkeeper Brad Guzan guessed the opposite direction. USA 0, COL 2 FINAL

Key Saves and Defensive Stops:
COL – Sebastian Perez, 60th minute: Off a USA corner kick, Clint Dempsey rose above a defender to power a header toward the bottom right corner of the goal. However; Sebastian Perez was stationed on the post and made a vital goal-line clearance to thwart a U.S. comeback.

COL – David Ospina, 64th minute: The USA won a free kick just to the right of center about 25 yards from goal and Clint Dempsey, who had an earlier free kick blocked by the Colombia wall, stepped up to send a blistering shot over the wall and toward the upper right corner. Ospina was explosive to the ball and flew to his left, just getting his gloves on the ball to push the it away from danger.

Next on the Schedule: The U.S. MNT continues Group A play in the 2016 Copa America Centenario against Costa Rica on June 7 at Soldier Field in Chicago.
Broadcast information: FS1, UniMas, UDN

– U.S. Men’s National Team Match Report –

Match: U.S. Men’s National Team vs. Colombia
Date: June 6, 2016
Competition: 2016 Copa America Centenario – Group A
Venue: Levi’s Stadium; Santa Clara, Calif.
Kickoff: 6:30 p.m. PT
Attendance: 67,439 (sell out)
Weather: 88 degrees, sunny

Scoring Summary: 1 2 F
USA                        0 0 0
COL                        2 0 2

COL – Cristián Zapata (Edwin Cardona) 8th minute
COL – James Rodriguez (penalty kick) 42

Lineups:
USA: 1-Brad Guzan, 2-DeAndre Yedlin, 20-Geoff Cameron, 6-John Brooks, 23-Fabian Johnson; 11-Alejandro Bedoya (19-Graham Zusi, 86), 4-Michael Bradley (capt.), 13-Jermaine Jones (10-Darlington Nagbe, 66); 9-Gyasi Zardes, 8-Clint Dempsey, 7-Bobby Wood (17-Christian Pulisic, 66)
Subs not used: 12-Tim Howard, 22-William Yarbrough, 3-Steve Birnbaum, 5-Matt Besler , 14-Michael Orozco, 15-Kyle Beckerman, 16-Perry Kitchen
Head Coach: Jurgen Klinsmann

COL: 1-David Ospina; 4-Santiago Arias, 2-Cristián Zapata, 22-Jeison Murillo, 19-Farid Diaz; 13-Sebastian Perez (6-Carlos Sánchez, 86), 16-Daniel Torres, 11-Juan Cuadrado, 10-James Rodriguez (capt.) (5-Guillermo Celis, 73), 8-Edwin Cardona; 7-Carlos Bacca (17-Dayro Moreno, 88)
Subs not used: 12-Robinson Zapata, 23-Cristian Bonilla; 3-Yerry Mina, 9-Roger-Martínez, 14-Felipe Aguilar, 15-Stefan Medina, 18-Frank Fabra, 20-Andrés Felipe Roa, 21-Marlos Moreno
Head Coach: Jose Peckerman

Stats Summary: USA / COL
Shots:11 / 8
Shots on Goal: 2 / 8
Saves: 6 / 1
Corner Kicks: 4 / 3
Fouls: 10 / 14
Offside: 1 / 3

Misconduct Summary:
USA – Alejandro Bedoya (caution) 57th minute

Officials:
Referee: Roberto Garcia (Mexico)
Assistant Referee 1: Jose Luis Camargo (Mexico)
Assistant Referee 2: Alberto Morin (Mexico)
Fourth Official: Wilton Sampaio (Brazil)

Man of the Match: John Brooks